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Message |
    
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1394
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 3:25 pm: | 
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How do you know when a hot water heater is on its way out? This morning I ran out of hot while taking a shower that was no longer than usual. The water was just as hot when the shower started, but the hot water just petered out rather quickly and I ended up with cold only. We subsequently checked the hot water heater. It was dated 1984 (bought the house in August 2005, so can't say for sure if this is when it was installed, and I had the all-time worse home inspector who missed many, many things...he basically confirmed it worked, but that was about it, and made no recommendation as to remaining lifespan....I have considered suing him for other, costly things he missed....but that is another story). Anyway, so it may be a 22-year-old hot-water heater, which definitely puts it at the end of its life span. But in my experience, I have never yet had to deal with a failing/dying hot- water heater. So how do you know when it's going? Is what happened to me today the first sign, or would it be more likely to just die abruptly and stop working? How can I be sure it's a failing hot-water heater and not some other problem like the one already mentioned here regarding not enough hot water (it was about valves or something...)
On a related note, since replacement seems imminent, can anyone recommend a place that WON'T rip me off? I am a single woman homeowner, and while not a total idiot, I have been ripped off recently (in October) by what I consider unscrupulous, alarmist plumbers who basically took me for a ride regarding some boiler repairs that probably weren't necessary.
Thanks!
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Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 594
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 4:00 pm: |
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Gateway supplied and installed our hot water heater. We did not get any other quotes so I do not know how competative the price was (I know, I know - I just couldn't deal with getting other estimates and I like Gateway). We knew that ours was smoked because it was disintegrating from the inside and the bits and pieces of it had completely clogged the hot water lines/pipes in our kitchen sink. The cold water worked fine, but the hot was completely clogged. Our hot water heater was approximately 19 years old. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12654
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 6:14 pm: |
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Why are they called hot water heaters? They heat cold water.
OK, you can ignore me. I'm just making trouble. It's just a language peeve.
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LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1333
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 8:34 am: |
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What is the average life expectancy of a hot water heater? I think ours is going on 10 years old, but I thought I remember hearing they only last 10-15 years.. |
darrensager
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 330
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
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Water heaters can last a very long time depending upon how you maintain them. Most people don't, so they only last around the 10 year mark.
Tankless water heaters generally last much longer and are much more energy efficient. And despite input from another someone here on this message board that Home Depot opened up a separate location just to deal with all the bad tankless water heaters (which I just don't believe, sorry) they have expanded their offerings in tankless water heating technology to the American consumers. They only used to offer a couple models from Bosch. Now they've expanded into other brands, including Paloma. If you don't know who Paloma is they've owned Rheem, the largest manufacturer of traditional water heaters in the United States and a leader in the HVAC industry, since 1988.
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Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 597
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 9:46 am: |
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I was told that the older hot water heaters could last as long as 15-20 years, but that the newer ones last only 8-12 years. I'm not refering to tankless. I know nothing about tankless hot water heaters. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1396
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 12:28 pm: |
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Any other input on this? I think it's clear that a 22-year-old hot-water heater is on its last legs...so at this point I am searching for a good, but not overly expensive, place to put one in. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10838
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 12:34 pm: |
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Home Depot sell water heaters and contracts out the installation. We were happy with both the water heater and the installation when we had to do this on a rush basis a couple of years ago.
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michael brant
Citizen
Username: Mbrant
Post Number: 121
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 3:25 pm: |
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Call PSEG they have several that they sell and install usually the same day you call. They also allow you to pay 12 equal month payments. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1398
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 3:37 pm: |
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OK. Also, can anyone tell me what a new gas hot-water heater will typically cost, installed? I am looking at upgrading from a 20-gallon to either a 30- or a 40-gallon. But I have no idea how much $$ we are talking about. Under $1000? Over $1000? More than $2000? |
michael brant
Citizen
Username: Mbrant
Post Number: 122
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 3:45 pm: |
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call PSEG a top of the line 50 gallon with a great guarantee costs $1100..installed a very good one with a guarantee cost $600-800 installed.
40 gallon in the same range. |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 485
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 3:50 pm: |
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That's right, darrensager. I lied.
I made it up and I posted it on the internet.
By the way, two weeks ago I sent two tankless water heaters back to their manufacturers for replacement.
I explained to the Technical Department how I want to love their product but until they become more reliable, I just can't. The agent agreed that their not for every application.
Next week, I'm likely to send back another that won't stay working (from a Church on E87th St.).
What proof would you like?
Master Plvmber |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12679
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 3:57 pm: |
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Master Plvmber, why do you think they work so badly in the US? They're in common use in Europe.
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Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 486
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 4:52 pm: |
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Tom, the short answer is: I don't know.
The long answer is I think we are told they do things they just don't do. We also expect them to work the way our water heaters do and they don't.
Most of the problems we have with them stems from insufficient fresh air or inadequate gas supply. They also very often need adjustments to regulate the mixture of air and gas and they sometimes inexplicably incur damage due to condensation.
I just replaced two in a hair salon in the West Village. They were constantly turning the sinks on and off to rinse their hands and some small objects. The constant on and off killed the two heaters within a year.
Maybe in Europe people rinse small things, like their hands, with cold water.
I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if the answer were as simple as that.
Master Plvmber |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10840
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 5:25 pm: |
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The GE we installed has a 12 year warranty and the installed cost was under $600. Expect to pay a plumber $200 to $300 more, but you may get a better water heater. |
darrensager
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 331
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
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I just don't believe Home Depot opened up a separate facility just to take in all the bad tankless water heaters Master Plumber.
Why would Home Depot be on TV advertising tankless water heaters? If they gave them so many issues as you stated, causing them to have the expense of opening up a new building just to take in all the used tankless water heaters, why continue to sell something that doesn't work? Why not send the old tankless water heaters to the dump like the traditional water heaters? Are they trying to hide a tankless water heater conspiracy?
Tom, I don't think they work badly here in the US, and if Master Plumber is giving that impression I don't think its the right one to give. My sister has had her unit for a couple of years now with no issues what so ever. There have been other people in Maplewood who are having very good experiences with tankless water heaters.
Tankless water heaters will continue to take market share away from traditional water heaters as more and more focus is stressed upon energy efficiency. Their cost to purchase, install, and maintain will only decrease in time as more and more companies introduce more models as their demand is on the rise.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just don't buy what Master Plumber is saying. That's all. I'm not trying to take away from his quality of work of which I understand is quite good. Its just not what I've heard from other people in the remodeling industry. |
Amateur Night
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1773
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 8:33 pm: |
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I knew my hot water heater was shot when it exploded and water went everywhere. And, Gateway did a great job replacing it.  |
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